Nyika National Park

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Description

Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve are two protected areas found in the Northern Region of Malawi. Nyika is one of the important Afro-muntane centre of plant biodiversity. Flora found in Nyika is of phytogeogrephical importance and it is thought to be the Southern Mist site of many species occurring in the further North and Northern Mist (Tundra). Althought Nyika lies in the Tropical Dry or Deciduous forest Region on the map of the World Network of Biosphere Reserve, the park has the features of Tropical grassland and Savannah. The park is unique in the region in terms of biological diversity, landscape, scenery and climate. It also protects some endemic rare and endangered species of which Lexodanta africana, Hippogratus equinum, Bugeramus caraculentu are among them. Within the park is found Lake Kaulime which served as a spiritual sanctuary. It is believed that the Sanctuary harboured a serpent and a human like being through which people communicate with God. There is also Fingira Care in the lake where stone artefacts and shells are found. In addition there is an area, 16km from Chelinda, where iron smelting was done.